Lord Chancellor: Exercise of Judicial Functions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 26 February 2000 in Morris v United Kingdom that proceedings in relation to courts martial are in breach of the right to an independent and impartial tribunal protected by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights has implications for the exercise of judicial functions by the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: No. The two specific grounds on which the European Court found against the United Kingdom in this case have no implications for the exercise of judicial functions by the Lord Chancellor.

House of Lords Reform: Life Peers

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) how they reconcile the statement in paragraph 94 of the White Paper on completing the reform of the House of Lords that, "The Royal Commission recommended that current life peers should retain their membership of the House for life", with Recommendation 103 in the Report of the Royal Commission, "that life peers created between the publication of this Report and the enactment of the legislation necessary to implement the second stage of Lords reform should be deemed to have been appointed to the reformed second chamber for a period totalling 15 years from the award of their life peerage;
	(b) why they have not accepted Recommendation 103 of the report; and
	(c) how many persons of each of the three major political parties have been appointed life Peers since the date of the publication of the report.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The White Paper made a shorthand reference to the basic proposition of the Royal Commission; namely, that existing life Peers should retain their right to life membership. That is what the Royal Commission proposed for the vast majority of existing life Peers. The Government rejected the proposal in Recommendation 103, that life Peers appointed after the publication of the Royal Commission's report should be deemed to have been appointed for 15 years, on the same grounds as led the Royal Commission to make its basic proposition contained in Recommendation 102. At the time of appointment, those life Peers would reasonably expect that their appointment would have been for life, given that the Government had made no announcement that it intended to seek to implement Recommendation 103. Since 20 January 2000, there have been 34 creations of Labour life Peers, 11 Conservatives and 14 Liberal Democrats, with creation being defined as the issue of a first Writ of Summons after that date. Labour still has 21 fewer Members of the House than the Conservatives.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many retired members of the RUC have been employed in any capacity by the Police Service of NI or its related support units.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The PSNI would be required to conduct a manual trawl through personnel files which would entail disproportionate cost to establish how many members of its staff are retired police officers.

West Bank and Gaza

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider the West Bank and Gaza to be covered by the European Union-Israel Association Agreement; if so, whether they are satisfied that Israel is keeping to Article 2 of the agreement; and, if not, what measures they have taken to ensure that products originating from settlements not in Israel are not imported into the United Kingdom under preferential tariffs.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK, along with the rest of our EU partners, does not consider the West Bank and Gaza to be covered by the trade provisions of the EU/Israel Association Agreement. The West Bank and Gaza are incorporated in a separate interim preferential trade agreement between the EC and the Palestinian Authority.
	The European Union has insisted in its discussions with the Israeli authorities that the territorial scope of the EU/Israel Agreement must be respected. The European Commission has undertaken technical discussions with Israel in search of a solution to this issue. The Commission has also published, in November 2001, a notice to importers in the Official Journal of the European Communities. This notice alerted EC importers of the ineligibility of products originating in the Occupied Territories for the preferences provided by the EU/Israel Association Agreement.
	HMC&E, with other member states' customs authorities are verifying the origin of certain products. If these products are found to have originated in the Occupied Territories HMC&E may request a guarantee against the difference between the preferential tariff and the normal tariff applied to these goods.
	Article 2 of the agreement states that, "Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreements itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy, and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement." Israel is in addition bound by the Fourth Geneva Convention.
	We understand the intense political pressures on the Israeli Government to respond to repeated suicide bombings and our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms is unequivocal. Israel has the right, like all states, to takes measures in self-defence. However, Israel's response must be proportionate and avoid civilian casualties. We therefore have concerns with certain measures implemented by Israel in response to the current intifada, including the practice of extra-judicial killings, the imposition of the closures and the destruction of Palestinian homes and agricultural land. Both bilaterally and through the EU, we have made these concerns clear and urged Israel to cease such practices.

Camp X-Ray: UK Detainees

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the British citizens detained by the public authorities of the United States at Camp X-Ray are within the jurisdiction of the United States for purposes of Article 2 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, so as to be entitled to the enjoyment of the protection of the rights recognising the covenant.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Under Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights each state party to the covenant undertakes to respect and ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognised in the covenant. The applicability of a particular provision of either the ICCPR or, alternatively, of international humanitarian law, will depend on the status of the individual concerned and the circumstances of his detention.
	The question of the detainees' status, access to them and the legal procedure to which they might be subject are complex. In response to our approaches, the US Government have given us the assurance that they would treat all UK detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Convention.

Israel Defence Force: Use of UK-supplied Equipment

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have evidence from non-governmental organisations or others that equipment, weapons and ammunition supplied by the United Kingdom to Israel have been used for attacks on civilians, premises belonging to the Palestinian Authority and institutions funded by the European Union or the United Nations within the Occupied Territories.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have received no evidence that equipment manufactured in the UK and licensed for export by this Government has been used by Israeli forces in the Occupied Territories during the recent and continuing violence. Most UK exports have been components for pieces of technology, which can be embedded in other systems and are therefore not visible. The UK has not licensed for export main equipment such as tanks, aircraft, warships or artillery to Israel since May 1997.
	However, on 11 March, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs the Member for Exeter informed the House of Commons that new information had come to light that UK-supplied equipment licensed for export under a previous administration, and a different export control regime, is being used by the Israelis in the Occupied Territories. This relates to a number of Centurion tanks, exported to Israel between 1958 and 1970, which the Israelis have modified into armoured personnel carriers.
	This contradicts a written assurance that the Israel Government gave us on 29 November 2000 that "no UK originated equipment nor any UK originated systems/sub-systems/components are used as part of the Israel Defence Force's activities in the Territories". We have urgently sought an explanation from the Israeli Government. We shall inform both Houses of the outcome.
	We consider all export licence applications to Israel on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, taking careful account on a case by case basis of the nature of the equipment and the proposed end-use and end-user.

Belfast Agreement

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made representations to the Government of the Irish Republic concerning the implementation of the part of the Belfast agreement of 1998 which refers to comparable steps by the Irish Government; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government have regular discussions with the Government of Ireland on all aspects, UK and Irish, of implementation of the Belfast agreement. The Government of Ireland have amended the Irish Constitution to remove the former Articles 2 and 3 relating to its former claim to Northern Ireland; it has established a Human Rights Commission; it has ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities; and is taking measures to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into its domestic law.

Afghanistan: Role of UN

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the experience of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), what they advocate as the role of the United Nations in Afghanistan in each of the following specific areas:
	(a) human rights;
	(b) electoral matters;
	(c) military matters;
	(d) civil administration;
	(e) police matters;
	(f) repatriation of refugees and displaced people; and
	(g) rehabilitation.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is important that the UN and international community learn from previous experience in post-conflict situations such as Cambodia. The Government believe that the UN has a central role to play in the political, reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan. The recent report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan sets out his proposed structure for the UN presence in Afghanistan. The UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, under the leadership of Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Afghanistan, will aim to ensure that UN agencies on the ground are well co-ordinated and focused on supporting the Afghans to implement the terms of the Bonn Agreement.
	The UN is currently working with the Afghan Interim Administration in a number of areas:
	1. The UN-led political process, as outlined in the Bonn Agreement, sets out a road map for the transition to a democratic representative government in Afghanistan. The next stage in the political process, the Emergency Loya Jirga, will be held in June. The Loya Jirga will select the members of the Transitional Administration, which will rule until elections are held in 2004.
	2. The UN is working with the Afghan Interim Administration on the immediate transitional assistance programme for the Afghan people. The programme contains UN and NGO projects focusing on urgent humanitarian needs, immediate recovery projects, and longer-term reconstruction and governance support.
	3. The International Security Assistance Force (acting under a UN mandate) is helping the Afghan Interim Administration to maintain peace and security in and around Kabul. The German Government have offered to take forward the training of the Afghan police force.
	4. The UNHCR is working on the resettlement and repatriation of refugees.
	5. The UN is supporting the Afghan Interim Administration to establish a human rights commission.

Industrial Tribunals and Employment Tribunals

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish immediately the annual number of applications made to industrial tribunals and employment tribunals in each of the years from 1981 to 2001; and what was the percentage in each year of those applications which led to the complaints being upheld in the tribunals.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The following table lists the number of applications registered in Great Britain in each of the years from 1981–2001, the number of applications disposed of in each year and the number and percentage of those disposed of which were successful, where the information is available.
	
		
			 Year Cases Registered Cases Disposed of  Successful at a Hearing 
			 2000–01 130,408 92,938 13,640 14.7% 
			 1999–2000 103,935 83,409 10,349 12.4% 
			 1998–99 91,913 74,006 9,282 12.5% 
			 1997–98 80,435 74,614 9,278 12.4% 
			 1996–97 88,910 (1) (1) (1) 
			 1995–96 (2)108,827 l73,472 10,219 13.9% 
			 1994–95 (2)88,061 67,325 10,422 15.5% 
			 1993–94 71,661 69,612 12,060 17.3% 
			 1992–93 71,821 67,325 9,351 13.9% 
			 1991–92 67,448 41,768 7,022 16.8% 
			 1990–91 43,243 35,826 5,503 15.4% 
			 1989–90 34,697 31,913 4,598 14.4% 
			 1988–89 28,832 29,317 3,829 13.1% 
			 1987–88 31,414 34,233 4,185 12.2% 
			 1986–87 38,727 39,404 5,342 13.6% 
			 1985–86 35,964 37,910 5,405 14.3% 
			 1985 (3)36,468 (4) (4) (4) 
			 1984 (3)39,824 (4) (4) (4) 
			 1983 (3)39,939 (4) (4) (4) 
			 1982 (3)43,645 (4) (4) (4) 
			 1981 (3)44,831 (4) (4) (4) 
		
	
	(1) Due to changes to the Database system of the ETS in 1996, statistics for 1996–97 are not available.
	(2) Includes a large number of applications registered following a decision in the ECJ (Vroege & Fisscher case) relating to part-time pension rights.
	(3) Information on applications registered prior to 1985 is only available on a calendar, not financial year basis.
	(4) This information is not available.
	Source:
	Employment Tribunals Service and Labour Market Trends/Employment Gazette.

Droit de Suite

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to ensure that the United Kingdom is exempted from the European Union requirement to levy droit de suite on sales of works of art from 2006.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government are obliged, no later than 1 January 2006, to implement Directive 2001/84/EC on the resale right for the benefit of the author of an original work of art, and to introduce droit de suite into the United Kingdom.

Special Advisers: Cost

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost of special advisers employed by the Government on a departmental basis for each of the years 1989–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01; and what is their estimated cost for the current financial year.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government have already announced introduction of a new pay system for special advisers from June 2001 based on individual job evaluation. The salary costs for the current financial year will be provided once the process of job evaluation is completed.
	For the other years in question, the approximate total cost including pension contributions for each year was:
	1998–99: £3.5 million
	1999–2000: £4.0 million
	2000–01: £4.4 million

Government-sponsored Public Bodies:Gender of Appointees

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the number of public bodies to which each government department makes appointments; and for each of those bodies:
	(a) what percentages of appointees are male and female;
	(b) what percentages of chairmen are male and female;
	(c) what percentages of deputy chairmen are male and female;
	(d) what percentages of paid chairmen are male and female;
	(e) what percentages of paid deputy chairmen are male and female; and
	(f) what percentages of chief executives are male and female.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The latest edition of the annual Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 2001, was published on 14 February 2002. The publication gives summary details of the public bodies each government department sponsors. This includes the remuneration and gender of all appointees, whether the appointment is made by Ministers or on some other basis. Copies are in the Library of the House.

Government-sponsored Public Bodies:Gender of Appointees

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the number of paid public appointments made by each government department; and what percentages of those appointees are male and female.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The latest edition of the annual Cabinet Office publication Public Bodies 2001 was published on 14 February 2002. The publication gives summary details of the public bodies each government department sponsors. This includes the remuneration and gender of all appointees, whether the appointment is made by Ministers or on some other basis. Copies are in the Library of the House.
	The information requested has been extracted from Public Bodies 2001 and is set out for each in table form below. Remuneration is paid in the form of an annual salary or on the basis of days, half-days or meetings attended or cases handled; normal expenses such as travel and subsistence are not included.
	
		People in posts attracting remuneration
		
			 Department Male Female Total % Male % Female 
			 Cabinet Office 38 26 64 59.38 40.63 
			 DEFRA 431 120 551 78.22 21.78 
			 Department for Education and Skills 110 85 195 56.41 43.59 
			 Department of Culture, Media and Sport 145 75 220 65.91 34.09 
			 Department of Health 1,284 990 2,274 56.46 43.54 
			 Department of Trade and Industry 1,704 818 2,522 67.57 32.43 
			 DTLR 425 179 604 70.36 29.64 
			 DWP 1,320 743 2,063 63.98 36.02 
			 FCO 6 4 10 60.00 40.00 
			 FSA 80 27 107 74.77 25.23 
			 HM Treasury 23 9 32 71.88 28.13 
			 Home Office 163 50 213 76.53 23.47 
			 Inland Revenue 8 1 9 88.89 11.11 
			 Lord Chancellor's Department 45 18 63 71.43 28.57 
			 MoD 30 3 33 90.91 9.09 
			 Oftel 5 1 6 83.33 16.67 
			 OFWAT 8 2 10 80.00 20.00 
			 ORR 13 4 17 76.47 23.53 
			 Scotland Office 1 1 2 50.00 50.00 
			 Grand Total 5,839 3,156 8,995 64.91 35.09

Government-sponsored Public Bodies:Gender of Appointees

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the number of unpaid public appointments made by each government department; and what percentages of those appointees are male and female.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The latest edition of the annual Cabinet Office publication Public Bodies 2001 was published on 14 February 2002. The publication gives summary details of the public bodies each government department sponsors. This includes the remuneration and gender of all appointees, whether the appointment is made by Ministers or on some other basis. Copies are in the Library of the House.
	Information extracted from this publication is set out in the following table form.
	
		People in posts attracting no remuneration
		
			 Department Male Female Total % Male % Female 
			 Cabinet Office 30 30 60 50.0 50.0 
			 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 112 82 194 57.7 42.3 
			 COI Communications 7 4 11 63.6 36.4 
			 DEFRA 967 79 1,046 92.4 7.6 
			 Department for Education and Skills 79 28 107 73.8 26.2 
			 Department for International Development 34 16 50 68.0 32.0 
			 Department of Culture, Media and Sport 396 206 602 65.8 34.2 
			 Department of Health 895 848 1,743 51.3 48.7 
			 Department of Trade and Industry 400 110 510 78.4 21.6 
			 DTLR 1,442 443 1,885 76.5 23.5 
			 DWP 24 20 44 54.5 45.5 
			 FCO 88 32 120 73.3 26.7 
			 FSA 7 3 10 70.0 30.0 
			 Home Office 1,316 1,013 2,329 56.5 43.5 
			 Lord Chancellor's Department 3,548 1,253 4,801 73.9 26.1 
			 MoD 242 71 313 77.3 22.7 
			 Oftel 34 10 44 77.3 22.7 
			 OFWAT 73 55 128 57.0 43.0 
			 ORR 78 25 103 75.7 24.3 
			 Royal Mint 9 3 12 75.0 25.0 
			 Scotland Office 931 1,233 2,164 43.0 57.0 
			 Grand Total 10,570 5,452 16,022 66.0 34.0

Reforming the Public Services Principles into Practice: Printing and Distribution

Lord Hayhoe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many copies of Reforming the public services Principles into practice were printed, and at what cost; and
	How many copies of Reforming the public services Principles into practice were distributed to those employed in public services; what the criteria was for this distribution list; and at what cost were they distributed.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Eleven thousand copies of the pamphlet have been printed at a cost of £21,000. The initial distribution encompassed senior managers in education, health, transport and law and order. In addition, copies have also been distributed to Parliament, Ministers and officials and in response to requests from the public. Over the coming months copies will be distributed to senior public service managers at a wide variety of seminars, conferences and other events. The cost of distribution to date is £19,000.

Service Personnel: Medical Care

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many personnel in each armed service have been waiting for medical consultations; and how many have been waiting for medical operations, showing the number of months they have been waiting.

Lord Bach: Service patients are mainly treated in Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) administered Ministry of Defence hospital units (MDHUs) situated in NHS trusts, in other NHS hospitals as NHS patients, or in DSCA directly managed units (DMUs) in the United Kingdom and overseas. Secondary care in Northern Ireland is administered by the Army. The British Forces Germany Health Service provides secondary care for service personnel in Germany, where there are generally no waiting lists.
	The MoD only maintains central records on the overall number of Armed Forces patients awaiting a first out-patient appointment or in-patient treatment (including daycase surgery) at MDHUs. MDHU waiting list information as at 30 September 2001, the last date for which information is available, is provided in the following tables. This excludes outpatient information in respect of MDHU Portsmouth due to validation of patient information at that time.
	
		Outpatients
		
			  Waiting time 
			  0–13 weeks 13+ weeks Total Waiting 
			 Number of Service  patients waiting(5) 1,734 356 2,090 
		
	
	(5) Number of patients waiting at four MDHUs (Peterborough, Frimley Park, Derriford and Northallerton).
	
		Inpatients
		
			  Waiting time 
			  0–3 months 3–6 months 6+ months Total Waiting 
			 Number of Service  patients waiting(5) 1,387 549 509 2,448 
		
	
	(6) Number of patients waiting at all five MDHUs (Portsmouth, Peterborough, Frimley Park, Derriford and Northallerton).

Nicosia Flight Information Region:Search and Rescue Responsibility

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How long the United Kingdom had responsibility for search and rescue services within the Nicosia Flight Information Region; whether responsibility was confirmed in the 1960 Cyprus Treaties; when it was decided to transfer this responsibility to the Greek Cypriot Government; what has been the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot administration; and whether this decision will facilitate the present talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom has provided search and rescue services in the Nicosia FIR since 1960. Our only treaty obligation in this regard is set out in Annex B, Part V, Section 9 of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment, which says that:
	"In so far as the services established for their own use make this possible, the United Kingdom authorities shall make available search and rescue facilities for all civil aircraft within the flight information region administered from Nicosia."
	In recent years the Republic of Cyprus has established its own Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) at Larnaca and introduced capable search and rescue helicopters. They are now much less reliant on UK assistance and we understand that within the last year thay have notified relevant aviation and maritime organisations that RCC Larnaca is the lead search and rescue centre for the Nicosia FIR. The UK continues to meet its treaty commitment by making available the Wessex helicopters of 84 Squadron RAF and the RCC Episkopi to assist as required in search and rescue operations in the Nicosia FIR.
	SAR is a humanitarian matter. As such it should have no read-across to the ongoing settlement negotiations.

Foreign Holdings of Military Equipment

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the number of medium and heavy tanks by type in Russia, China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Europe and the United States.

Lord Bach: Government assessments of foreign holdings of military equipment are classified. A widely accepted, non-official reference is The Military Balance 2000–2001, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. In addition, the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms contains details of tank holdings for those nations who have provided input: it is available at http://disarmament.un.org/UN–REGISTER.nsf.

Brigade and Battle Group Exercises

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to cut any brigade and battle group level exercises in 2002–03; if there are plans to reduce the number of exercises, which of these exercises will be withdrawn from the training programme; and for what reason.

Lord Bach: We have yet to finalise our plans for brigade and battle group exercises for 2002–03, but no direction has been given to cancel any exercises at this time.

Service Personnel: Criminal Injuries Compensation (Overseas) Scheme

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further consideration they are giving to the issue of compensation for ex-servicemen and women, in particular to those who fall foul of the rules of the criminal injuries compensation (overseas) scheme, as exemplified by the case of Sergeant Trevor Walker, Royal Engineers, who lost a leg while serving on peacekeeping duties in Bosnia and has been denied compensation for this injury under current rules.

Lord Bach: There are no plans to amend the criminal injuries compensation (overseas) (CIC(O)) scheme rules. This scheme exists to provide compensation for sevice personnel injured as a result of a criminal act while serving overseas. The CIC(O)'s provisions mirror those of the criminal injuries compensation schemes of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and thus ensure that service personnel serving abroad are placed in the same position as those serving in the United Kingdom.
	Sergeant Trevor Walker's injuries were the result of military activity by warring factions in Bosnia. Since this was not a "criminal act" within the terms of the CIC(O) scheme, he was not eligible for compensation under the scheme. This judgment has been upheld by the Divisional Court, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. In circumstances such as Sergeant Walker's, compensation would normally be through the payment of benefits for attributable injury under the war pension scheme (WPS) and the armed forces pension scheme (AFPS) on medical discharge. Sergeant Walker currently remains in service. He will be entitled to receive a war pension on retirement. He will also receive compensation under the AFPS if he is subsequently medically discharged as a result of his injury.
	The Ministry of Defence has been conducting a review of compensation arrangements for service personnel and the proposals for a new compensation scheme (to replace the WPS and attributable benefits under the AFPS) to include compensation for service personnel injured as a result of terrorism or warlike activities, even if they remain in service. It is proposed that service personnel injured on or after the date of the new scheme's introduction would be covered by the new arrangements. Injuries which pre-date the new scheme's introduction would be covered by current compensation arrangements.

Bereavement Benefits

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the settlement of the case of Fielding v United Kingdom before the European Court of Human Rights, they will make bereavement benefits available to widowers without sex discrimination.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Our reforms to bereavement benefits introduced in April 2001 mean that for the first time these benefits are available equally to both men and women. We have concentrated help where and when it is needed most—on immediate needs and on families with children.
	Litigation currently in the European Court of Human Rights does not affect the rights of men or women to claim bereavement benefit today.
	Immediate help with costs arising on bereavement is provided by a lump sum bereavement payment of £2000—double the old widow's payment of £1000. There is a weekly benefit for widowed parents who satisfy the qualifying conditions. A bereavement allowance is also available for 12 months, to give widows and widowers aged 45 or over without dependants time to adjust to their new circumstances.

Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Councils: Appointments

Baroness Billingham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	If appointments have been made to the Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Councils in readiness for their formal establishment on 1 April.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Orders 2001 provide for the Privy Council to make appointments to the new councils. I can confirm that members have accepted the invitations to serve for a three-year term from 1 April 2002. A list of their names is shown in the table. Nursing and Midwifery Councils President Jonathan Asbridge—England Practitioner members Nurses Jonathan Asbridge—England Sharon Hall—Wales Kathleen McLean—Scotland Mary Hanratty—Northern Ireland Midwives Catherine Warwick—England Jean Keats—Wales Heather Shaw—Scotland Elizabeth Bannon—Northern Ireland Health Visitors Bronya Webster—England Marianne Cowpe—Wales Ishbel White—Scotland Fiona Wright—Northern Ireland Alternate members Nurses Professor David Sines—England Elizabeth Hewett—Wales Nancy Kirkland—Scotland Angela O'Connor—Northern Ireland Midwives Professor Paul Lewis—England Christine Hayes—Wales Mary Vance—Scotland Eileen Pollock—Northern Ireland Health Visitors Heather Livesey—England Angela Roberts—Wales Sheena Wright—Scotland Maureen Jamison—Northern Ireland Lay (Others) Education Professor Gordon Dickson—Scotland Professor Donald Pennington—England NHS Employers Catherine Gritzner—England Non-NHS Employers Trevor Purt—England Lay (users) Jill Carter—England Christina Funnell—England William Buxton—England Moi Ali—Scotland Alan Ferguson OBE—Northern Ireland John Leece Jones—Wales Health Professions Council President Prof Norma Brook—England Practitioner members Professor Diane Waller (Arts Therapists)—England Pamela Sabine (Chiropodists)—England Dr John Old (Clinical Scientists)—England Morag MacKellar (Dietitians)—Scotland Neil Willis (Medical Laboratory Technicians)—Wales Mary Crawford (Occupational Therapists)—England Clare McGartland (Orthoptists)—Northern Ireland Joanna Manning (Paramedics)—England Dr Robert Jones (Physiotherapists)—England William Munro (Prosthetists & Orthotists)—Scotland Dr Alexander Yule (Radiographers)—Wales Dr Anna Van Der Gaag (Speech & Language Therapists)—Scotland Alternate members Michael Barham (Arts Therapists)—England Paul Frowen (Chiropodists)—Wales Dr Graham Beastall (Clinical Scientists)—Scotland Gillian Pearson (Dietitians)—England Gordon Sutehall (Medical Laboratory Technicians)—England Carol Lloyd (Occupational Therapists)—England Helen Davis (Orthoptists)—England Michael Collins (Paramedics)—Wales Eileen Thornton (Physiotherapists)—England Laurence Hughes (Prosthetists & Orthotists)—Northern Ireland Rosemary Klem (Radiographers)—England Jacqueline Pearce (Speech & Language Therapists)—England Lay Members Education Prof Anthony Hazell—Wales Prof John Harper—Scotland NHS employers Robert Clegg—England Non-NHS employers Shaheen Chaudhry—England Lay (users) Jacqueline Stark—England Prof John Lilleyman—England Anne Foster—England Keith Ross—Scotland Christine Farrell—England Barbara Stuart—Northern Ireland Colin Lea—Wales Prof Jeffrey Lucas—England

Marinas: Local Authority Funding

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding is available to seaside authorities when planning to establish marinas.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Local authorities may use their non-ring-fenced basic credit approvals (BCAs), which are issued by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, to support borrowing for any capital project. Councils may also use the general grant for revenue expenditure which is provided under the local government finance settlement. It is for authorities themselves to determine how they spend their BCAs and their general grant in the light of local needs and priorities for expenditure. Other funding may be available, depending on local circumstances.

United Kingdom Continental Shelf Oil Installations: Fatal Injuries

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many fatal accidents have occurred on oil installations operating under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Since the Offshore Division (OSD) of the Health and Safety Executive was established in 1991 there have been 39 fatal injuries at all offshore installations operating on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). Of this total, in the period 1996–97 to 2001–02, 11 fatal injuries occurred on offshore production and drilling installations. Included in this provisional figure for April 2001 to 31 March 2002 are three fatal injuries.

Pesticides Incidents Appraisal Panel

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How long after their receipt of reports of pesticide incidents alleging ill health has the Health and Safety Executive's Pesticides Incidents Appraisal Panel (PIAP) taken to notify individuals of the classification of their reports for all cases appraised by the PIAP since 1996.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: There has been no meeting of the panel in 2002 so information is available only for the years 1996 to 2001 inclusive. During those years individuals involved in over 60 per cent of the incidents put to the panel were notified of its assessment of their case within 15 months of the papers being received by the panel secretariat. Sometimes considerable delay in submission of incidents to the panel itself may arise because the secretariat seeks wherever possible to obtain additional confidential medical information. Seven per cent of the cases for the years in question have yet to go to the panel pending the collation of further information.
	In a further 25 per cent of cases either the relevant information is not available or it was not considered appropriate to write to the individual. For the remaining cases, exceptional circumstances would usually have been the main cause for the longer time periods involved.
	It should be noted that it is not the panel's purpose to advise individuals on possible links between pesticide exposure and ill health but rather to see if any general lessons can be derived from cumulative information on incidents and to report annually. Nevertheless, the secretariat endeavours to inform individuals of the outcome of their assessment as soon as possible after panel meetings.

Organophosphate Pesticides: Liability

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is the licensing authority, the employer or the end user of an organophosphate pesticide, veterinary medicine or human medicine who is ultimately liable for damage to human health following the finding by Cherry N. et al at the University of Manchester that some individuals have a genetic susceptibility to such damage.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: There are responsibilites on each of the relevant parties at every stage of the approval, supply and use of such products. For pesicides and veterinary medicines, the registering authority must be satisfied that a product has no unacceptable human health effects (as well as animal health and environmental considerations) and that it is efficacious, before it can be recommended for approval by Ministers and allowed onto the market. As regards to medicines for human use, the licensing authority is responsible for the issue of marketing authorisations. Marketing authorisations are made on the basis of a product's safety in the normal conditions of use, therapeutic efficacy, and qualitative and quantitative composition in the light of the information available.
	Suppliers of those products must provide information on labels and packaging in accordance with the conditions of approval set by Ministers. This will include instructions for proper use, and hazard classification.
	Employers of those using such products, the self-employed and the users have responsibilities under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH), which requires among other things that employers carry out a risk assessment and put in place appropriate control measures including preventing or reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals. Civil or criminal liability may arise where any such party does not fulfil its legal responsibility.

DTLGR and Finsbury Ltd

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish details of the contractual relationships between the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Finsbury public relations firm.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The contract between Finsbury Ltd and the department is commercial in confidence.

DTLGR and Finsbury Ltd

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Sir Richard Mottram, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, has held any meetings with Finsbury Public Relations; and, if so, on what dates.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of the meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

DTLGR and Finsbury Ltd

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any work undertaken by Finsbury Public Relations has been relevant to government responsibilities; and, if so, whether they will publish the relevant contract detailing these responsibilities, indicating specifically where such work could not have been effectively carried out by officials in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Finsbury Ltd is employed by the department to work on specialised communications work connected with the Railtrack in administration project; expertise that is not available from within the department. The details of their contract remain commercial in confidence.

DTLGR and Finsbury Ltd

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Finsbury Public Relations has ever offered advice to Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Ministers or officials beyond their specific brief on the administration of Railtrack.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Finsbury Ltd does not offer advice to the department, ministers or officials beyond its specific brief on the administration of Railtrack.

DTLGR and Finsbury Ltd

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, at any time, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney has employed the Finsbury Public Relations firm at the request of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; and whether any such arrangements to employ Finsbury Public Relations comply with civil service guidelines.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: SSSB is the department's financial advisers and employed Finsbury Ltd to handle its financial PR from October–December 2001. The selection of the company was entirely its choice.
	The department decided that it continued to need specific, expert advice on financial PR matters connected with the Railtrack in administration project as this expertise was not available elsewhere in the department. SSSB was asked to negotiate a price for continuing to use Finsbury Ltd's services on behalf of the department but it was decided that it would be preferable for the company to be employed direct by the department.
	Since January 2002 therefore, Finsbury Ltd has been on contract to the department. The arrangements for its employment follow civil service guidelines.

Council Tax Increases

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they accept the report in The Times newspaper of 11 March that the average council tax increase in London and in areas with metropolitan councils will be "around 6 per cent"; and, if so, what are the reasons for this increase being over twice the underlying inflation rate of 2.6 per cent; and
	Whether they accept the report in The Times newspaper of 11 March that the average council tax in areas with county councils will show a 9.4 per cent rise on last year; and, if so, what are the reasons for this increase being 3.6 times greater than the underlying inflation rate of 2.6 per cent, and half as much again as the average increase in London and areas with metropolitan councils.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Information showing council taxes for each English authority for 2002–03 was published on 21 March 2002.
	The increases in council tax will be: 6.4 per cent in London; 5.1 per cent in metropolitan areas; 9.9 per cent in areas with shire county councils; and 9.0 per cent in areas with shire unitary councils.
	Decisions on council taxes are for local authorities to take, after consulting their local electorate and taxpayers. However, with an average grant increase of 7.5 per cent, local authorities should be able to deliver improvements to public services while setting reasonable council tax increases.
	There is some evidence of a link between council tax rises and electoral cycles. This is especially true for county councils, where elections were held last year and the average rise this year is significantly higher than those for most of the other types of authority that have responsibility for the same services.

Lancashire: Council Tax

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 13 March (WA 84), what is the percentage increase represented by the general grant increase of £26.673 million in the coming financial year to Lancashire County Council; and how much of this is accounted for by the floor for councils with education and social services responsibilities.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Lancashire County Council receives a 4.3 per cent increase in general formula grant for 2002–03 after adjusting for changes in function and funding arrangements. Lancashire's formula grant allocation for 2003–04 is £2.596 million higher than it would have been without the floor.

Vauxhall Cross: Roadworks

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the purpose of the roadworks currently taking place at Vauxhall Cross, London; and
	Whether they will publish the cost-benefit analysis carried out before roadworks at Vauxhall Cross, London, were undertaken; and
	What were the estimates of the delays caused to travellers as a result of the roadworks at Vauxhall Cross, London; and how these compare with the delays actually experienced; and
	What, if any, financial payments contractors and others will make in consequence of the delays that their roadworks at Vauxhall Cross, London, cause.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer that I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Hayhoe on 20 March 2002 (Official Report, WA 150).

London Underground: Letters of Comfort

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When Parliament will see the letter of comfort underwriting 95 per cent of the third party debt to be provided for London Underground, which the Lord McIntosh of Haringey told the House of Lords on 18 March (HL Deb, col. 820) had already been issued; and
	What rate of interest they expect to be necessary on the 95 per cent of third party debt to be underwritten by their letter of comfort, referred to by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey in the House of Lords on 18 March (HL Deb, col. 820); and
	How long Parliament will have to scrutinise the letter of comfort referred to by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey in the House of Lords on 18 March (HL Deb, col. 820) before binding contracts are entered into with the providers of third party debt for the London Underground Public Private Partnership.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My right honourable Friend the Secretary of State is considering issuing comfort letters in relation to the Tube modernisation contracts, but has not yet done so. Drafts of these letters, which are not intended to create binding obligations and do not underwrite 95 per cent of third party debt, have been discussed with bidders. They were laid before Parliament on 20 March 2002 using the Minute procedure.
	Precise finance terms for the third party debt raised under the PPP contracts are still to be finalised. To estimate at this stage what rate of interest the private sector infrastructure companies pay on the debt they raise would undermine London Underground's commerical position and jeopardise its ability to deliver best value.

"MV Derbyshire"

Lord Dixon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of Mr Justice Colman's recommendation at the end of the re-opened formal investigation into the sinking of "MV Derbyshire" have been implemented; and whether they intend to implement all these recommendations.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government continue to give strong support to the safety recommendations made by Mr Justice Colman and will adopt as many recommendations as we can. Mr Justice Colman made recommendations to enhance bulk carrier safety and maritime safety generally. These were addressed to the department, Lloyds Register of Shipping, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). To be effective the recommendations must be implemented internationally. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the IMO has established the International Bulk Carrier Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) Project for this purpose. The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is taking the leading role in this project. The MCA has also recently sent its FSA submissions to the MSC secretariat.
	In consultation with the others to whom recommendations are addressed, the department is working towards preparing a response to each of the recommendations. This response will be presented to Parliament.

"MV Derbyshire"

Lord Dixon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to ensure that an apology is made to the families of the 44 persons who lost their lives on the "MV Derbyshire", given that, while the assessor at the original formal investigation had concluded that the ship's crew had been negligent, Mr Justice Colman's reopened investigation attributed the sinking to the weakness of the foredeck hatch covers with consequent bow flooding.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government pay tribute to the efforts of the families of the "MV Derbyshire" and continue to give strong support to the safety recommendations made by Mr Justice Colman.
	We are happy to note here that the new evidence considered by Mr Justice Colman, which had not been available to the assessors at the earlier investigation, indicated that the principal cause of the loss of the "Derbyshire" was structural failure of the foredeck hatch covers.
	We have been keen to keep the families informed of the ongoing process of implementing recommendations. At the Royal Institute of Naval Architects' "Design and Operation of Bulk Carriers" international conference in October 2001 we covered the costs of a number of family representatives. One member of the Derbyshire Family Association is being invited to the UK's external briefing of the International Maritime Organisation's Maritime Safety Committee in May and will receive all the session papers.

Aviation Security

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps are being taken to improve security at Heathrow airport for passengers travelling on international flights to and from the airport; and
	What additional security measures (including reinforced cockpit doors) have been introduced to aircraft using Heathrow and Manchester airports since 11th September 2001.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Following the attacks on 11 September, heightened aviation security measures were introduced at all UK airports, including Heathrow and Manchester, and for all airlines operating from the UK. Security remains at an enhanced level, with requirements including additional passenger searches as well as those relating to cockpit security. Since 18 September 2001, all UK registered airlines have been required to keep cockpit doors locked and the CAA has also introduced a fast-track procedure to allow UK airlines to make modifications to doors to protect the cockpit still further.
	In addition, the Cabinet Office commissioned, through the Committee on Domestic and International Terrorism, a wide-ranging review of aviation security following the 11 September attacks. As a result a number of potential measures have been identified for both pre-flight and in-flight security on which work is currently being taken forward.
	Following the robbery at Heathrow on 11 February, the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Secretary of State for the Home Department ordered an immediate review of airside security. This review has also been considering the implications of the second robbery at Heathrow on 19 March. The review will report this week and the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions will make an announcement shortly about action to be taken to tighten security still further.

Individual Learning Accounts: Successor Scheme

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When is the successor scheme to the individual learning accounts to be introduced.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: There will be a replacement ILA-type scheme building on the strengths of the ILA and taking into account the findings of the current stakeholder consultation exercise, which are due in early April. We will announce our plans in due course.

Training and Enterprise Councils: Staff Pensions

Lord Borrie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider action to remedy the fact that a significant number of people formerly employed by the training and enterprise councils in England and Wales (now in liquidation) are being denied full year-for-year pension rights on their transfer to the Learning and Skills Council.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Training and enterprise councils (TECs) were private companies and it was for them to determine the remuneration levels and pension arrangements for their staff. A range of different pension schemes were in place across the TEC network, including final salary, group money purchase and group personal pension schemes.
	TEC staff transferred under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, 1981 (TUPE) to the Learning and Skills Council and joined the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) unless they chose to opt out. The Department for Education and Skills is ensuring that every member of the various TEC pension schemes, whether money purchase or final salary, has been granted their full statutory rights in relation to transfer values from their scheme. It has also worked to ensure that those transferred have been treated fairly and consistently, securing a range of flexibilities within PCSPS which will benefit the pension arrangements of many transferees.
	The transfer value of a pension is dependent upon the available assets within the scheme and funding decisions made by the employer and/or the individual. This has meant that many former TEC staff will be able to secure year-for-year transfer values in PCSPS, while some will secure more than year-for-year and others less.
	The only circumstance where it would be appropriate for the Government to consider taking action would be where it became evident that a TEC had not fully met its contractual and legal obligations in respect of its pension arrangements and we are not aware at present of any such cases.

Science Teaching

Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to ensure that all students in publicly maintained schools are taught science in accordance with the national curriculum.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Science is a core subject within the national curriculum with clearly defined programmes of study, general teaching requirements and attainment targets. Ofsted is the body with responsibility for inspecting schools and the quality of teaching in schools.

London Primary Schools: Sports and Physical Education

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the survey of 50 of the largest primary schools in London, published in the Evening Standard on Thursday 21 March, which found that nearly half fail to deliver two hours of sport and physical education each week; that nearly half do not have a sports pitch of their own; and that a quarter do not have a gym.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government are committed to all children having two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week, within and outside the curriculum. The network of specialist sports colleges and the school sport co-ordinator programme are helping schools to make that a reality. Over 500 school sport co-ordinators have been appointed working with almost 2,500 primary link teachers in 100 "families" of schools. In London there are 13 specialist sports colleges, 50 school sport co-ordinators and over 200 primary link teachers. We intend to build on these foundations.
	The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's PE and School Sport Project is demonstrating how PE and school sport can raise standards and how with imaginative and flexible timetabling schools can, and do, provide two hours of high quality PE and school sport.
	Significant funding is also being provided to enhance PE and sports facilities in schools. In total £130 million is being provided via the Space for Sport and Arts programme and £541 million from the New Opportunities Fund. London's share of these resources is £101 million (£20 million from the Space for Sport and Arts programme supporting projects in 43 primary schools and £81 million from the New Opportunities Fund).

BBC Online

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the BBC's current and proposed activities on the web.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government made it clear in the licence fee settlement announcement in February 2000 that the BBC should help to drive the take-up of new digital and online services.
	It gave approval to the BBC to launch BBC Online on a permanent footing as a core public service in 1998. There will be an independent review of the service against the original approval as part of a rolling programme of BBC new services reviews. The first of these is underway and the BBC Online review will follow.

Tourism Information Centres

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What help has been given, in the year 2001 and the present year to date, to tourism information centres staffed by local authority personnel.

Baroness Blackstone: More than £90 million is spent annually by local authorities on tourism, much of which is allocated to supporting tourist information centres staffed by local authority personnel. The Government have made £900,000 available from the Capital Modernisation Fund this financial year to support the electronic networking of tourist information centres during 2001–02 and 2002–03. We also announced on 20 March that we would be making £3.6 million available from the Invest to Save budget over two years (2002–03 and 2003–04) for the development of e-tourism in England, which will build on this work.

Male Life Expectancy: Social Class V

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On the basis of the life expectancy figures for professional male workers (class 1) and for low-paid male workers (class V) published by the Office for National Statistics on 18 February in its report Trends in life expectancy by social class 1972–1999, how many of the low-paid male workers would have derived benefit from free television licences at 75.

Baroness Blackstone: The report Trends in life expectancy by social class 1972–1999 was derived from the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Longitudinal Study. Estimates from this source show that in 1998 there were approximately 76,000 males of age 75 or over in social class V, accounting for 6 per cent of all males of age 75 or over. Given the mortality rates for 1997–99, 46 per cent of males in social class V can expect to live until they are 75 in the future.

Inter-Ministerial Group on Sport

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions in 2001 and 2002 the Inter-Ministerial Group on Sport has met; and on how many occasions it has discussed the provision of tax reliefs for community amateur sports clubs.

Baroness Blackstone: The Inter-Ministerial Group on Sport has met on seven occasions. It has not discussed the provision of tax reliefs for community amateur sports clubs.

Private Sewers

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action is being taken to deal with the problem of private sewers.

Lord Whitty: We announced this morning that agreement has been reached with the House Builders Federation and the water industry that all new sewers will be built to one agreed standard. We now have in place a protocol which sets out the key elements of design and construction for new development to enable wider adoption of sewers. As a result, owners of new property will not have the kind of problems experienced by those with existing private sewers. Copies of the protocol and the report on the outcome of the consultation undertaken by the department into new sewers and drains have been placed in the Library. They are also on the department's website.
	I am equally keen that we should assist owners of existing private sewers. We have therefore appointed outside consultants to undertake research to establish the extent of the private sewer network, identify and examine the problems associated with private sewers and produce workable solutions. The research began in December and is due to last 18 months.

Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made to review and identify further sensitive areas under the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994.

Lord Whitty: Based on recommendations from the Environment Agency, it (by authority of the Secretary of State) was announced on 5 March 2002 that we have reviewed the identification of sensitive areas in England in accordance with the criteria in Part I of Schedule I of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994 (which transposes the European Council Directive (91/271/EEC) concerning urban waste water treatment).
	This review has resulted in the identification of four freshwater stretches of the Rivers Stour, Wissey, Chelmer and Leam, which are intended for the abstraction of drinking water, to be identified as sensitive areas (nitrate) on the basis of elevated levels of nitrate under the terms of the regulations.
	These new requirements on water companies to remove nitrate from sewage treatment discharges will complement the action required by farmers under the Nitrates Directive.
	Work to provide more stringent treatment (nitrogen removal) at six qualifying treatment works is expected to be completed by end of 2004.
	One hundred and eighty bathing waters (already identified under the Bathing Waters Regulations 1991) in England are also to be identified as sensitive areas as discharges from qualifying sewage treatment works receive, or are to receive by 2005, more stringent treatment (ultraviolet disinfection) to fulfil standards of those regulations.
	Funding for these improvements have already been provided for in the Office of Water Services (Ofwat) periodic review of water company price limits for the five-year period from 2000.
	We are committed to a steady improvement to Britain's freshwater and bathing quality. Already we have the best-ever recorded bathing water quality. Today's moves mean that we can continue our efforts to ensure clean and healthy water both for this country's inhabitants and its aquatic life.
	A list of the new sensitive areas will be printed in Hansard, and maps showing the location of all current sensitive areas (nitrate) and (bathing waters) will be deposited in the Library of the House and at offices of the Environment Agency in due course.

Roadbuilding

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether arrangements exist for dialogue between them and the Scottish Executive on the roadbuilding programme in Scotland and England, where such roads are important to the economy of the United Kingdom as a whole.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Trunk roads within Scotland are a devolved issue, and a matter for the Scottish Executive. Cross-border issues are addressed through dialogue and discussion between the Government, their agencies and the Scottish Executive.
	An example of this is the A1 route action plan under the auspices of the A1 Steering Group, whose membership includes the Scottish Executive, the Highways Agency, local authorities and police from both sides of the Border.

Deliveries of Heating Oil to Domestic Premises: VAT

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why there are two different rates of VAT applied to deliveries of heating oil to domestic premises, depending on the quantity delivered; whether householders who find they have been charged the higher rate can get a refund; and by what procedure.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: All deliveries of heating oil to domestic premises are subject to VAT at 5 per cent irrespective of the quantity delivered.

Moldova

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that Moldova qualifies as a heavily indebted poor country.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Moldova is not currently classified as eligible for relief under the enhanced heavily indebted poor country (HIPC) initiative. However, the HIPC list is not fixed and any country that meets the criteria can become eligible.